Oct 4, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon (23) breaks up an attempted touchdown pass to Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Richard Mullaney (8) in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Buffaloes came close to upsetting the Oregon State Beavers Saturday afternoon but came up short, losing 36-31 in a hard-fought game.
After failing to get anything going on their first drive, the Buffaloes were forced to punt as Oregon State took advantage. On a four-play, 63 yard drive,Terron Wardran it in for a four yard touchdown, giving Oregon State the early 7-0 lead. They would get the ball back, recording another touchdown under two minutes later.
Storm Woodscollected a four yard rushing touchdown of his own, making it 14 unanswered points for the Oregon State Beavers. The Buffaloes battled back, led by sophomore quarterbackSefo Liufau. Liufau led the Buffaloes on a 12 play, 75-yard drive which was capped off by running back Michael Adkins, who scored on a 12 yard rushing touchdown to bring it to within seven.
The Buffaloes defense bent but didn’t break on the ensuing possession, preventing Oregon State from cashing in on a third down.�Instead of a touchdown, Colorado held Oregon State to a 33-yard field goal which kickerTrevor Romaineconnected on, pushing Oregon States lead to 17-7.
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Noted in the second paragraph, the Buffaloes continued to battle back. With just 2:54 remaining in the first half, Colorado chewed up the rest of the clock, logging a 11 play, 75-yard drive for a score. Without running backChristian Powell(concussion),Tony Jonesstepped up with a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Buffaloes a 21-20 lead entering the half.
After a slow start to the second half, Oregon State was the first to put points up on the board. Kicker Trevor Romaine drilled a 47-yard field goal to give the Beavers a 23-21 lead with 6:47 remaining in the third quarter. Late in the third quarter, Colorado looked to have changed the momentum. CornerbackKenneth Crawleypicked offSean Mannionbut then was called back due to defensive pass interference — terrible call. And of course, Oregon State capitalized on the ref’s mistake as Mannion hit tight endCaleb Smithfor the 24-yard touchdown pass; making it 30-21 Beavers early in the fourth quarter.
After witnessing the previous drive from Oregon State, Colorado needed to get some points on the scoreboard as they did just that. Although it wasn’t the seven points they wanted, they settled for a 44-yard field goal fromWill Oliverto bring the score within six with 10:52 remaining in the fourth quarter; 30-24 Oregon State.
On the ensuing Oregon State possession, they chewed up the clock running all over Colorado. On a 12 play, 85-yard drive, Oregon State ran off nearly six minutes as Terron Ward finished off the drive with a 10 yard rushing touchdown. The Beavers went for the two-point conversion, trying to push it to a 14-point lead but Mannion’s pass fell incomplete — 36-24 Beavers with 5:09 remaining.
The Buffaloes would strike back however as Liufau foundTyler McCullochfor a 17-yard touchdown pass, bringing the Buffaloes to within five with three minutes remaining. Colorado drove 75-yards in just a little over two minutes on eight plays. On the next Beavers possession, the defense of Colorado stepped up, forcing Oregon State to punt with 2:19 remaining in the game.
Colorado faced a crucial fourth and six with 1:50 remaining on Oregon States 40-yard line. Sefo Liufau dropped back and his pass was tipped, incomplete as Oregon State came away with the 36-31 win.
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